Virginia Governor Expands Action Against Human Trafficking

McDonnell called on the Secretary of Public Safety and other members of his Cabinet to establish an Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinating Committee to assure the Commonwealth’s response to human trafficking is comprehensive and coordinated.

The Coordinating Committee will follow-up on recommendations of an informal working group and develop new recommendations and strategies for strengthening the state’s response to human trafficking.

McDonnell will consider including in the upcoming two-year budget funding for a grant program to support pilot programs designed to reduce prostitution and provide services to victims of trafficking.

In addition to announcing his Executive Directive and consideration of a budget initiative, the Governor highlighted Virginia’s progress in creating a legal framework for more effectively combating trafficking and in taking steps to better coordinate the state’s efforts to raise awareness of the problem and the harm done to the victims.